Understanding the Michael Reaction

The video tutorial explains the Michael reaction, a type of nucleophilic addition to an alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl compound. It covers the mechanism, including the role of Michael donors and acceptors, and the factors affecting the reaction's yield. The tutorial provides examples to illustrate the process and discusses how different bases influence the reaction pathway. The video concludes with strategies to improve reaction yields by modifying the Michael acceptor.

What is the role of a Michael donor in the Michael reaction?

• It provides steric hindrance.

• It acts as a nucleophile.

• It stabilizes the reaction.

• It acts as an electrophile.

Which carbon is typically attacked by a weak base in the Michael reaction?

• Beta carbon

• Gamma carbon

• Alpha carbon

• Carbonyl carbon

What type of compound is typically formed as a product of the Michael reaction?

• 1,6-dicarbonyl compound

• 1,5-dicarbonyl compound

• 1,4-dicarbonyl compound

• 1,3-dicarbonyl compound

Why might a strong base not be a good Michael donor?

• It forms a stable enolate.

• It prefers to attack the carbonyl carbon.

• It is too reactive and unstable.

• It prefers to attack the beta carbon.

How can the yield of a Michael reaction be increased?

• By increasing the temperature

• By using a more reactive aldehyde

• By making the beta carbon more accessible

• By using a stronger base

What effect does a tert-butyl group have on the Michael reaction?

• It provides steric hindrance to the carbonyl carbon.

• It increases the electrophilicity of the beta carbon.

• It decreases the nucleophilicity of the enolate.

• It makes the carbonyl carbon more accessible.

In the example with nitroethane, what is the role of the nitro group?

• It increases the acidity of the alpha hydrogen.

• It acts as a nucleophile.

• It stabilizes the negative charge.

• It donates electrons to the enolate.

What is the pKa of the alpha hydrogen in nitroethane?

• About 15

• About 20

• About 9

• About 5

What is the final product of the reaction involving nitroethane and a nitrile functional group?

• A 1,3-dicarbonyl compound

• A 1,6-dicarbonyl compound

• A 1,5-dicarbonyl compound

• A 1,4-dicarbonyl compound

Which of the following is a characteristic of a good Michael donor?

• It is an electrophile.

• It is highly reactive.

• It is a weak base.

• It is a strong base.